Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline — runs 1.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
171Complaints
4Recalls
16Crashes
5Fires
7Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline (11.1% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints here are 1.7× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Fuel System, Gasoline
19 · 11.1%
Recalled
Recall 13E065000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor
14 · 8.2%
No official action
—
Suspension
13 · 7.6%
Recalled
Recall 03V153000
Power Train:clutch Assembly
12 · 7%
Recalled
Recall 02V282000
Vehicle Speed Control
10 · 5.8%
Recalled
Recall 04V128000
Power Train:automatic Transmission
9 · 5.3%
Recalled
Recall 02V282000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE19 · 11.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR14 · 8.2%
SUSPENSION13 · 7.6%
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY12 · 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10 · 5.8%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9 · 5.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8 · 4.7%
TIRES7 · 4.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6 · 3.5%
STRUCTURE:BODY5 · 2.9%
Percentages are the share of the 171 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER.”NHTSA complaint 10107791 — filed 01/24/2005 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Subaru Outback?
Fuel system, gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 19 of 171 NHTSA complaints (11.1%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (14), suspension (13), power train:clutch assembly (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2001 Subaru Outback have?
171 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2001 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 13E065000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Subaru Outback's reported problems?
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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